If you’re interested in science or medicine and want to understand what research actually looks like, a research internship is one of the best ways to find out. Instead of following set instructions or classroom experiments, you work on real research questions, learn how data is used, and see how scientific work connects to real medical problems. The Scripps Student Research Internship is built for students who want that kind of experience.
A brief overview – what is the Scripps Student Research Internship?
The Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Student Research Internship is an immersive, 10-week research appointment where you are expected to function as a junior scientist. It is a highly selective summer program designed to train the next generation of physician-scientists and translational researchers, placing you in either a dry-lab or computational setting, with a focus on using data to solve complex medical problems. You will have a primary mentor, usually a faculty member or senior research scientist, who will guide your independent research project. The environment is academically demanding and requires full-time dedication.
Quick facts
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Duration: June 1 – August 7 | June 15 – August 7
Eligibility:
- Must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
- Must be highly motivated with a strong interest in genomics, statistics, or translational research.
- Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students attending U.S. schools.
Application Deadline: March 30
Cost / Funding: No cost | Stipend is provided
What do you learn at the Student Research Internship?
The SRTI curriculum aims to develop skills in translational science through a highly multidisciplinary approach, covering areas such as biology, statistics, and computer science. Participants divide their time between working on an independent project and attending structured educational sessions. During the 10 weeks, you can expect to learn:
- Genomic data analysis: You will learn how to handle large datasets derived from genetic sequencing. You could be using bioinformatics tools to identify variants associated with disease susceptibility or understand the basics of pharmacogenomics, the science of drug response.
- Digital medicine & mHealth: You will gain exposure to how wearable sensors and mobile apps are used to collect continuous physiological data. Projects could involve cleaning and analyzing this high-frequency data to detect patterns relevant to conditions like atrial fibrillation or sleep disorders.
- Study design & biostatistics: A highly relevant skill, you will learn how studies are designed and how data is generated. Mentors emphasize the importance of rigorous study design, including power calculations, control selection, and minimizing bias.
- Scientific communication: A valuable skill and a core component of the internship is learning to speak the language of science. You will draft a research proposal, present journal articles, and defend your findings in a formal setting.
There are various activities you’ll be doing through the course of the internship, mainly:
- An independent research project: This is the anchor of your internship. You will propose a hypothesis, analyze data to test it, and interpret the results. Past projects have explored topics like “The impact of polygenic risk scores on cardiovascular disease prediction.”
- A series of weekly seminars: You are required to attend seminars covering current topics in translational research. These are technical deep dives into active research areas led by expert researchers.
- A final poster symposium: The program culminates in a poster session where you present your work to faculty, peers, and SRTI scientists. This mimics the format of professional scientific conferences and provides a brief introduction to scientific presentation.
Who is eligible, and how does the admissions process work?
Admission to the SRTI program is extremely competitive. With a cohort size of only 40 students drawn from high school through graduate levels, the acceptance rate is low. The selection committee looks for students who can demonstrate the ability to work independently and grapple with complex concepts.
- Grade level: Students aged 16 years or older.
- Prerequisites: No specific coursework is mandated, but strong performance in AP Biology, AP Statistics, or Computer Science is highly advantageous.
The basic criteria beyond this are:
- A demonstrated interest in translational research.
- The ability to commit to the full 40-hour work week.
- Computer literacy and familiarity with data concepts.
Is there a cost associated with the program?
The Scripps internship is completely free to attend. Monitor the website for details on funding and stipends. It’s important to note that housing is the participant’s responsibility.
What have past students said about the internship?
Feedback from past participants highlights the collaborative nature of the institute. Some stand-out points include:
- Mentorship quality: Students frequently cite the accessibility of mentors as a major plus. Because you are paired 1-on-1, you receive personalized feedback on your scientific thinking.
- Professionalism: High school students report being treated as “junior colleagues” rather than students. You are expected to manage your time and deliverables responsibly.
- Networking: The mix of educational levels (high school, undergrad, grad) provides a built-in network. You can ask undergraduates about their college experiences or talk to medical students about the MCATs.
- “The environment was very collaborative… I was given a project to do by myself, but had guidance whenever needed.” — [Intern Review, Handshake]
- “I learned about what it means to be a scientist, how to think like one, and what it entails… I now have a clear understanding of what I want to do next.” — [Student Testimonial, SRIP Reviews]
Strengths & Considerations
Strengths
- You’ll learn advanced skills: You will leave with a working knowledge of bioinformatics and data science tools that are rarely taught in high school.
- It’s an extremely prestigious opportunity: Scripps Research is one of the top biomedical research institutes in the world. Having this name on your resume signals to colleges that you have handled rigorous academic work.
- You leave with tangible output: The requirement to produce a research proposal and a final poster ensures you have a physical artifact of your work to show admissions officers.
Considerations
- Wet-lab postings are limited: if you are determined to handle pipettes, work with cell cultures, or perform animal surgery, this is likely not the program for you. SRTI primarily focuses on data, genomics, and digital technologies, although a few wet-lab postings are available.
- It is quite intensive: This is a 40-hour-per-week job. It is not compatible with taking other summer classes or extensive travel plans.
- Admission is challenging: With only 40 spots in a mixed applicant pool, it is statistically more difficult to gain admission than in many college-specific programs.
Verdict: Is the Scripps Student Research Internship for you?
The Scripps Research Translational Institute Student Research Internship is ideal for biology students with strong quantitative skills. If you enjoy AP Statistics as much as AP Biology or are interested in how coding (Python/R) relates to healthcare, this program is a great match. However, students seeking a traditional “wet lab” experience or a simple introduction to medicine might find the data-focused approach less engaging or too technical. For those eager to explore the future of precision medicine, this internship provides a valuable chance to build professional-level research skills before graduating from high school.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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